The Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) is the third of six Maryland sites to host Water/Ways, a traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibition, brought to the state by the Maryland Humanities’ Museum on Main Street program. Water/Ways will be open to the public in the Miller House in Hagerstown for six weeks, from August 31 to October 12, 2019, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm.

Local exhibit, Canal Culture

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal has served many roles in almost two hundred years of existence – as a major trade route, vacation destination, national landmark, and a large part of the local economy, among many others. With Canal Culture, WCHS examines the multifaceted impact of the C&O Canal on local history and culture.

Step back in time to the front porch of a lock keeper’s cottage and watch the canal boats pass by as you learn more about the social, cultural, and public health impacts of ‘The Grand Old Ditch’ through artifacts, documents, photographs, film, and more!

From Western Maryland to the lower Eastern Shore, our state is rich with water: it’s part of our history, our culture, our future. Maryland H2O shines the spotlight on it, through Maryland Humanities’ Museum on Main Street tour of the traveling exhibit Water/Ways, the Smithsonian exhibition H2O Today, and engaging programs to spark a statewide discussion about water.

This event is listed as part of Maryland Humanities’ Maryland H2O initiative and #ValueWater programming.

Maryland Humanities is a statewide, educational nonprofit organization that creates and supports educational experiences in the humanities that inspire all Marylanders to embrace lifelong learning, exchange ideas openly, and enrich their communities.